Monitoring capacity of a power bank battery and devices charged therewith

ABSTRACT

A portable power bank including a rechargeable battery may detect loss of capacity in the power bank battery. The power bank determines a nominal capacity of the power bank, and an actual capacity of the power bank, the actual capacity being less than the nominal capacity. The power bank compares the actual capacity to the nominal capacity to determine a health value of the power bank battery. When the power bank battery health value is at or below a threshold value, the power bank transmits an indication of the health value to a mobile computing device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure generally relates to apparatus and methods to detect aloss of capacity of a power bank battery and, more particularly, tocommunicate the loss of capacity of the power bank battery to a mobilecomputing device of a user of the power bank.

BACKGROUND

A power bank is a portable electronic device, chiefly including arechargeable battery that is electrically connectable to one or moremobile computing devices. The power bank uses the electrical connectionto supply electric charge to respective batteries of the mobilecomputing device(s). A user of a smartphone, for example, may carry apower bank so that, when the battery charge level of the smartphone islow, the user can connect the smartphone to the power bank (e.g., by USBor wireless charging means). Upon the power bank partially or fullyrecharging the smartphone battery, the user can continue to use thesmartphone with less concern for depleting their smartphone battery.

Capacity of a power bank battery is typically expressed either in unitsof electric charge (e.g., milliampere-hours (mAh)) or units of energy(e.g., watt-hours (Wh)). Manufacturers of power banks typicallyadvertise power banks by stating the initial capacity of the power bank,that is, how much charge or energy the power bank battery can hold atfull charge (i.e., at full capacity of charge or energy), at the timethe power bank is manufactured. This stated initial capacity of thepower bank battery (“nominal capacity”) is often large enough for thefully charged power bank to be able to provide multiple rechargings tomobile computing devices before the power bank battery is fullydepleted. As an example, a fully charged power bank having a 10000 mAhbattery capacity may provide multiple full or partial recharges to asmartphone having a battery capacity of ˜3000 mAh, before the power bankis depleted and must be recharged.

However, it is understood that a power bank battery loses at least someof its capacity over time. Usually, these capacity losses are notreversible. As a result of capacity losses, the actual capacity of theexample power bank battery may be substantially below the statedcapacity of 10000 mAh (e.g., lower than 9000 mAh, 8000 mAh, 7000 mAh,etc.). Thus, the nominal capacity of the power bank battery may not berepresentative of the actual capacity of the power bank battery at agiven time, particularly when the power bank has been owned or used forlong periods of time. Over sufficient time, the capacity of the powerbank battery may be reduced so significantly that the power bank cannotprovide a full charging to a user's mobile computing device (e.g., thepower bank's actual capacity has fallen to 2500 mAh, and is being usedto charge a 3000 mAh smartphone battery). A power bank user may befrustrated when their power bank runs out of battery charge afterproviding substantially less charge to the mobile computing devicebattery than the user expects.

SUMMARY

One embodiment includes a portable power bank device (“power bank”). Thepower bank includes a rechargeable battery for supplying electric chargeto a mobile computing device external to the power bank (e.g., asmartphone). The power bank is generally configured to supply electriccharge to a mobile computing device external to the power bank via anelectrical connection between the power bank battery and a battery ofthe mobile computing device. The power bank battery has a nominalcapacity. The power bank further includes a communication module forexchanging communication signals (e.g., radio frequency communicationsignals) with the mobile computing device. The power bank still furtherincludes a control module comprising one or more processors and amemory, the memory storing non-transitory computer executableinstructions. The instructions, when executed, cause the power bank to(1) determine the nominal capacity of the power bank battery, (2)measure a present capacity of the power bank battery, (3) compare thepresent capacity of the power bank battery to the nominal capacity ofthe power bank battery to determine a health value of the power bankbattery, and (4) transmit to the mobile computing device, via thecommunication module, an indication of the health value of the powerbank battery when the health value is less than or equal to a thresholdvalue.

Another embodiment includes a method performed via a power bank. Themethod includes determining, by a processor of the power bank, a nominalcapacity of a rechargeable battery of the power bank. The power bank isgenerally configured to supply electric charge to a mobile computingdevice external to the power bank via an electrical connection betweenthe power bank battery and a battery of the mobile computing device. Themethod further includes obtaining, by the processor, a measurement of apresent capacity of the battery. The method still further includescomparing the present capacity to the nominal capacity to determine ahealth value of the power bank battery. Additionally, the methodincludes transmitting, via a communication module of the power bank, toa mobile computing device external to the power bank, an indication ofthe health value when the health value is less than or equal to athreshold value.

In accordance with the teachings of the disclosure, any one or more ofthe foregoing aspects of an apparatus or a method may further includeany one or more of the following optional forms.

In one optional form, where the power bank's nominal capacity is ratedin units of electric charge (e.g., milliampere-hours), measuring thepresent capacity includes monitoring an inflowing electric current tothe power bank battery (e.g., measuring the inflowing electric currentrepeatedly over a time interval when the power bank is being charged).In this optional form, an input charge capacity of the power bankbattery is calculated based upon the monitored inflowing electriccurrent, and the present capacity is determined based upon thecalculated input charge capacity. Alternatively, in another optionalform, where the power bank's nominal capacity is rated in units ofenergy (e.g., Wh), measuring the present capacity includes monitoringpower input to the power bank battery (e.g., repeatedly measuring powerinput to the power bank battery over the time interval, based uponmeasurements of inflowing current to the power bank battery and voltageof the power bank battery). In this optional form, an input energycapacity of the power bank battery is calculated based upon themonitored power input, and the present capacity is determined based uponthe input energy capacity.

In another optional form, where the power bank's nominal capacity israted in units of electric charge, measuring the present capacityincludes monitoring an outflowing electric current from the power bankbattery during a supply of electric charge from the power bank batteryto the mobile computing device (e.g., by measuring the outflowingelectric current repeatedly over a time interval corresponding to thesupply of electric charge). In this optional form, an output chargecapacity of the power bank battery is calculated based upon themonitored outflowing electric current, and the present capacity isdetermined based upon the calculated output charge capacity.Alternatively, in still another optional form, where the power bank'snominal capacity is rated in units of energy, measuring the presentcapacity includes monitoring power output from the power bank batteryduring a supply of electric charge from the power bank battery to themobile computing device (e.g., by measuring the power output repeatedlyover the time interval corresponding to the supply of electric charge,based upon measurements of voltage of the power bank battery andoutflowing current from the power bank battery over the time interval).

In still another optional form, the power bank transmits the indicationof the health value to the mobile computing device via wireless radiofrequency (RF) communications.

In yet another optional form, the electrical connection between thepower bank and the mobile computing device includes a wired electricalconnection between the power bank and the mobile computing device.

In still another optional form, the electrical connection between thepower bank and the mobile computing device includes a wirelesselectrical connection between the power bank and the mobile computingdevice.

In yet another optional form, the threshold value is a value defined bya user of the mobile computing device via an application executing atthe mobile computing device.

Embodiments may further include non-transitory computer readable mediacomprising computer-executable instructions that cause a processor toperform a method via apparatus described herein.

Advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following description of the preferred embodiments which have beenshown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, thepresent embodiments may be capable of other and different embodiments,and their details are capable of modification in various respects.Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Figures described below depict various aspects of the system andmethods disclosed herein. Each figure depicts a particular aspect of thedisclosed system and methods, and each of the figures is intended toaccord with a possible aspect thereof. Further, wherever possible, thefollowing description refers to the reference numerals included in thefollowing figures, in which features depicted in multiple figures aredesignated with consistent reference numerals.

There are shown in the Figures arrangements which are presentlydiscussed, it being understood, however, that the present embodimentsare not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown,wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example computing environment including a powerbank and a mobile computing device, in accordance with one aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates example components of the power bank and the mobilecomputing device of FIG. 1, in accordance with one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example chart associated with electric currentmeasured at a power bank, in accordance with one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example chart associated with voltage measured ata power bank, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example flow diagram, in accordance with oneaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example mobile computing device notification, inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method associated with a power bank, inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure;

The Figures depict preferred embodiments for purposes of illustrationonly. Alternative embodiments of the systems and methods illustratedherein may be employed without departing from the principles of theinvention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the following text sets forth a detailed description ofnumerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legalscope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forthat the end of this patent and equivalents. The detailed description isto be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possibleembodiment since describing every possible embodiment would beimpractical. Numerous alternative embodiments may be implemented, usingeither current technology or technology developed after the filing dateof this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a portable power bankdevice (“power bank”) and a mobile computing device (e.g., asmartphone). Each of the power bank and the mobile computing deviceinclude a respective internal battery (“power bank battery” and “mobilecomputing device battery,” respectively). The power bank is configuredto use its battery to supply electric charge to the mobile computingdevice battery, by way of an electrical connection between the powerbank and the mobile computing device. The electrical connection mayinclude, for example, a USB-C connection, micro USB connection,Lightning charging connection, a Qi-standard wireless connection, etc.,and/or another wired or wireless structure for electrically connectingthe mobile computing device to the power bank.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include, via the power bank,monitoring a state of health of the power bank battery, the state ofhealth being based upon a comparison of the actual capacity of the powerbank battery to a nominal capacity of the power bank battery. When astate of health of the power bank battery falls below a threshold value(e.g., 60%), the power bank battery transmits an indication of thehealth value to a mobile computing device associated with the power bank(e.g., via radio frequency (RF) communications). The mobile computingdevice is associated with the power bank, for example, by way of (1)being communicatively connection with the power bank (e.g., havingestablished RF communications), and/or (2) being manually assigned toreceive indications of state of health of the power bank (e.g., manuallyconfigured by a user of the mobile computing device via a mobilecomputing device application. The threshold value may be, for example, avalue set by a manufacturer of the power bank, or a value set by a userof the power bank via a mobile computing device application incommunication with the power bank. In any case, the indicationtransmitted by the power bank may cause the mobile computing device todisplay an indication of the state of health of the power bank battery(e.g., a push notification, and/or an image displayed on a screen of amobile computing device application conveying the state of healthinformation of the power bank).

Power bank users typically do not know when and how capacity lossesoccur in the power bank battery. Power bank capacity may decrease, forexample, each time the battery is “cycled,” e.g., each time the batteryis depleted and recharged by a particular amount (5% of the battery'scapacity, 15%, 55%, 100%, etc.). The exact loss of capacity due tocycling may vary, depending on the type of battery and how much of thebattery is cycled. A number of additional factors may further contributeto capacity loss over time, even when the battery is not cycled.Capacity loss may increase, for example, when the battery is stored inextreme temperatures (e.g., significantly above or below 25 degreesCelsius), or depending on the charge level of the battery when thebattery is stored for extended lengths of time. Furthermore, becausecapacity loss may occur even when the power bank is not used, somecapacity loss may very well have already occurred by the time a userfirst acquires the power bank from a manufacturer or retailer (e.g., ifsignificant time has elapsed from manufacturing until purchase). Becausemost consumer electronic devices measure present charge levels incomparison to actual capacity of the device battery, a fully chargedpower bank might indicate a charge level of “100%” even when the actualamount of charge or energy held by the power bank battery issignificantly less than the nominal capacity of the power bank battery.Accordingly, a user of a power bank generally does not know, at anygiven time, the actual capacity of the power bank battery relative tothe nominal capacity of the power bank battery. Consequently, a user mayexpect a power bank to deliver more charge or energy, based on prioractual experience, than the power bank is capable of delivering becauseof capacity loss. By advantageously transmitting an indication of thestate of health of the power bank battery to the user, the power bankdisclosed herein advantageously empowers the consumer to replace thepower bank rather than continue to use a power bank having substantiallyreduced capacity (e.g., less than 70% of nominal capacity) andpotentially incapable of delivering charge according to the user'sestablished expectations.

Use of the methods and power banks described herein may improve theusefulness of the power bank relative to conventional power banks, atleast because receiving an indication of the power bank's state ofhealth allows the user to consider the state of health information andavoid unintentionally depleting the power bank battery earlier thanexpected. Furthermore, the methods and power banks described hereinimprove the user experience with the power bank, at least becausereliable knowledge of the power bank state of health helps the useravoid being unexpectedly without a backup charge source for a mobilecomputing device.

Before further description, definitions of certain terms are provided,these terms being used throughout this detailed description.

As used herein, the term “power bank” refers to a portable electronicdevice usable for supplying electric charge to one or more mobilecomputing devices (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, and/or a portable mediaplayer). The power bank chiefly comprises a rechargeable battery (“powerbank battery”), such as a rechargeable lithium-ion or lithium-polymerbattery. More particularly, the power bank battery includes one or morecells (e.g., electrochemical cells), which may be arranged in series, inparallel, or in an alternative aspect, include cells arranged in seriesand in parallel. The power bank may charge the mobile computing device(i.e., supply electric charge to the mobile computing device battery)via wired means for electrically connecting the power bank to the mobilecomputing device (e.g., USB or Lightning cable connection) and/or viawireless means for the same (e.g., Qi-standard wireless charging means).Means for electrically connecting the power bank to the mobile computingdevice are collectively referred to herein as an “electrical connection”between the power bank battery and the mobile computing device battery.

Capacity of a battery (e.g., of a rechargeable power bank battery)generally refers to a maximum electric charge or energy that can be heldby the battery. Measured capacity of a battery may be expressed in unitsof electric charge (e.g., ampere-seconds, coulombs (C),milliampere-hours (mAh), and/or other suitable units) or in units ofenergy (e.g., watt-hours (Wh), joules (J), and/or other suitable units).“Nominal capacity” refers to an initial stated capacity of the battery(e.g., as stated by a manufacturer or retailer and corresponding tooptimal capacity at the time of manufacture). “Actual capacity” refersto the battery's “real” or “true” capacity at a given time, and it willbe understood that actual capacity will typically become less thannominal capacity and thus vary especially over a period of time. Actualcapacity is typically measured in the same units as nominal capacity(e.g., when the battery's nominal capacity is rated in units of electriccharge, the actual capacity is measured in the same). Actual capacitymay be used in combination with a specific time to communicate thecharge or energy held by the battery at that specific time, and thus twoactual capacities determined at different times may be used tocommunicate the variance of charge or energy held by the battery over atime interval. “Present actual capacity” (or simply “present capacity”)refers to the actual capacity of the battery at a present (current)time. “State of health” of the battery, as used herein, is a comparisonof an actual capacity of the battery to a nominal capacity of thebattery (e.g., actual capacity divided by nominal capacity, expressed asa ratio or percentage). The term “life percentage” may also be used torefer to the state of health of the battery. Where techniques aredescribed herein in relation to batteries having capacities expressed inunits of electric charge, it should be understood that similartechniques may be applied in relation to batteries having capacitiesexpressed in units of energy, given appropriate modifications (whichwill be described herein).

“Fuel gauge,” also referred to herein as “charge level,” refers to themeasured/determined amount of charge or energy held by a battery (e.g.,rechargeable power bank battery, rechargeable smartphone battery, etc.)at a given time. Charge level may be expressed as a percentage, i.e.,the percentage representation of the amount of charge held by thebattery in comparison to a capacity of the battery. Mobile computingdevices such as smartphones typically display their charge level inpercentage form (e.g., 51%) for viewing by the user of the mobilecomputing device. It should be noted that, typically, a charge level ofa battery is relative to the battery's present capacity, not thebattery's nominal capacity. For example, if the present capacity of agiven device battery is 8000 mAh compared to a nominal capacity of 10000mAh, and the device indicates a present charge level of “100%,” thismeans that the battery holds a charge of 8000 mAh (not 10000 mAh).

A “charging” or “recharging” of a given device, as used herein, is asupplying of electric charge to a rechargeable battery of the device,thereby increasing the charge level of the device. A charging may, forexample, increase the device charge level from 0% to 100%, from 0% to40%, from 51% to 63%, from 55% to 100%, etc. The act of charging overtime is referred to herein as a “charging session.” Conversely, a“depletion” of a given device (e.g., of the power bank) is a spending ofelectric charge by the device which thereby decreases the charge levelof the device. Depletion of the device may, for example, reduce thedevice charge level from 100% to 0%, from 100% to 65%, from 80% to 20%,from 33% to 0%, etc.

“Power bank” may be used at points herein to more specifically refer tothe power bank battery and thus, given the appropriate context, theseterms may be considered interchangeable. For example, where the term“power bank” is described in relation to electricity, capacity,provision of charge, etc., the term should be understood as referringmore specifically to the battery of the power bank (e.g., “capacity ofthe power bank,” “receiving charge from the power bank,” “charge levelof the power bank,” etc., specifically referring to the battery of thepower bank). Similar terms may be used to describe a mobile computingdevice charged by the power bank (e.g., smartphone charged by the powerbank). For example, terms such as “charging a mobile computing device”or “charge level of a mobile computing device” may refer morespecifically to the battery of the mobile computing device.

A power bank according to this disclosure may include a microcontroller(MCU). At a very high level, computing functionalities of the power bankMCU are typically limited to the functionalities that relate to (1)provision of charge from the power bank to a mobile computing devices(e.g., allowing charge to be supplied, interrupting the supply ofcharge, etc.), and/or (2) calculations pertaining to characteristics ofelectricity which may be used in furtherance of provision of charge(e.g., measurements or calculations of power, energy, current, voltage,resistance, and capacity).

Although a power bank according to this disclosure may have some displaycapabilities (e.g., a blinking LED light or a power meter metric bar ordisplay graphic indicative of power bank battery's charge level), thepower bank according to this disclosure generally does not include asubstantial display. For example, size of a power bank display screenmay be limited such that the display screen does not have a viewingsurface area greater than 25 cm², and/or greater than 16 cm².Additionally or alternatively, functionality of the power bank displayscreen is typically limited to only a simple numerical display (e.g.,without the HD screen functionalities that are typically present insmartphones, tablets, notebook computers, etc.). As a result, theprimary power draw from the power bank battery according to thisdisclosure is the charging of the mobile computing device (and not theoperation of the limited power bank display itself, which requiressubstantially less power). Similarly, although a power bank as describedherein may include some communication capabilities (e.g., RFcommunications, such as via Bluetooth Low Energy), wired and/or wirelesscommunication functionalities of a power bank are typically limited tothose functionalities which relate at least indirectly to provision ofelectric charge and/or communication of electrical characteristics to amobile computing device associated therewith as described herein. In thepower bank, these functionalities are performed via communicationsprotocols that can be implemented at low power and low computing demand(e.g., Bluetooth Low Energy or WiFi), rather than more complex protocolsthat are less suitable for power banks and more suitable for mobilecomputing devices (e.g., cellular communications).

A power bank is typically limited in physical size, weight, and/ordimensions, such that the power bank can easily be carried by the userof a mobile computing device (e.g., in a pocket, purse, backpack, etc.).Often, the power bank has a physical size and weight comparable to thatof a smartphone. However, other physical forms of power banks arepossible. For example, some power banks are substantially larger in sizeand capacity, and thereby more effective for supplying more charge,e.g., capable of charging devices a greater number of times, capable ofsubstantially charging larger devices such as laptop computers (e.g.,providing sufficient charge to charge the laptop computer battery from10% to 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, or more).

Furthermore, as a result of functionalities of a power bank beinglimited to the functionalities described herein, the power bankgenerally has limited input/output (I/O) functionalities. For example,the power bank may not include a dedicated keyboard or touchpad.Additionally, although the power bank may include one or more ports(e.g., USB port, micro-USB port, etc., which may facilitate chargingand/or data communications), typically, any ports included in the powerbank are not adapted to receive a keyboard, mouse, peripheral touchpad,monitor or other peripheral I/O device.

Example Computing Environment

FIG. 1 illustrates an example computing environment 100 illustrating apower bank 140 according to this disclosure in which techniquesdescribed herein may be implemented. The environment 100 includes amobile computing device 120, which may be a smartphone, tablet, wearablecomputing device, laptop computer, and/or other suitable computingdevice. The environment 100 further includes a power bank 140, which isgenerally configured to supply electric charge to one or more mobilecomputing devices (e.g., to the mobile computing device 120).

In addition to being electrically connected so that electric charge maybe supplied from the power bank 140 to the mobile computing device 120,the mobile computing device 120 and power bank 140 may becommunicatively connected via one or more communicative connections 144.The one or more communicative connections 144 may include a wirelessradio frequency (RF) connection (e.g., via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE),Zigbee, WiFi low Power, 6LoWPAN, and/or other suitable protocols).Additionally or alternatively, the one or more communicative connectionsmay be implemented by a wired connection between the power bank 140 andthe mobile computing device 120 (e.g., via wired USB or Lightning cableconnection). In some embodiments, a single connection between the mobilecomputing device 120 and power bank 140 (e.g., a USB data/charging wiredconnection) may both electrically and communicatively connect the powerbank 140 to the mobile computing device 120 and thereby facilitate acombination of communication and charging capabilities between themobile computing device 120 and the power bank 140.

The mobile computing device 120 includes a memory 152 (i.e., one or morememories 152, e.g., RAM, ROM, etc.). The memory 152 includes one or moreapplications 154 (“App(s)”), each of which comprises one or more sets ofnon-transitory computer-executable instructions. In particular, the oneor more applications 154 includes a power bank application 156 (“PBApp”), which may, for example, facilitate measuring and/or viewing ofstate of health of the power bank 140. In some embodiments, the one ormore applications 154 use an application programming interface (API)that provides access to electrical characteristics of the mobilecomputing device 120, which are measured via internal circuitry of themobile computing device 120 (e.g., voltage, current, resistance, etc.).

The mobile computing device 120 further includes a processor 158 (i.e.,one or more processors, e.g., CPU, GPU, etc.), which may execute thenon-transitory computer executable instructions included in the memory152. The mobile computing device additionally includes a communicationmodule 160 (“Comm Module”), which may establish communications andexchange communication signals with the power bank 140 via the one ormore communicative connections 144. Communication signals to and/or fromthe communication module 160 may include wireless signals (RF signals)or wired communication signals (e.g., via USB data connection). Themobile computing device still additionally includes an I/O 162 forconnecting one or more input devices and/or one or more output devices(e.g., a dedicated display screen such as a touchscreen).

The processor 158 of the mobile computing device 120 may particularlyinclude an analog to digital converter (ADC) configured to convertanalog measurements of voltage, current, resistance, and/or otherelectrical characteristics at the mobile computing device 120 to digitalvalues. Digital values can be transmitted via the communication module160 to the power bank 140 via the one or more communicative connections144 (e.g., via a wireless RF connection).

The mobile computing device 120 includes a charging module 164 (e.g., aUSB charger) chiefly configured to receive electric charge and directthe electric charge to a rechargeable battery 166 of the mobilecomputing device 120 (“mobile computing device battery 166”). Thebattery 166 is the primary power source of the mobile computing device120. Usually, the battery 166 is internal to the mobile device 120(e.g., fixedly or removably placed inside a cavity of the mobilecomputing device 120).

The charging module 164 may include one or more charging ports (e.g.,USB port or Lightning port) and/or additional circuitry for receivingand directing electric charge to the battery 166 when the chargingmodule 164 receives electric charge from an external power supply (i.e.,a supply of electric charge). The external power supply may be the powerbank 140 according to the disclosure and/or another external powersupply (e.g., a wall outlet, a vehicle charging port, etc.).

Operations of the processor 158 may include operations for managing thesupply of electric charge to the battery 166 via the charging module 164(e.g., operating a switch to interrupt and/or resume the supply ofelectric charge from the power bank 140 to the battery 166).

In some embodiments described herein, the charging module 164 is coupledto a voltage regulator (e.g., a DC-to-DC voltage converter). The voltageregulator may be configured, for example, to convert the voltage of acharging port of the mobile computing device 120 to a voltage of thebattery 166. For example, in a mobile computing device 120 that isconfigured to receive power via a 5 volt (5V) USB charging port, thevoltage regulator may include a step-down converter (“buck converter”)configured to reduce the USB voltage to 3.6V or another suitable voltagecorresponding to the battery 166. Similar voltage conversion may beperformed based upon (1) the voltage of components of the chargingmodule 164, which may vary based upon the charging means used (e.g.,Lighting charging, Qi-standard wireless charging means, etc.), and (2)the voltage across two terminals of the mobile computing device battery166. Additional description of components of the charging module 164will be provided with respect to FIG. 2.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the power bank 140 includes a rechargeablebattery 180. The power bank battery 180 is the primary power source ofthe power bank 140 itself, and is also the power source by which thepower bank 140 supplies charge to mobile computing devices. The powerbank battery 180 may be, for example, a lithium-ion battery, alithium-polymer battery, and/or another type of secondary battery. Thepower bank battery 180 may comprise one or more electrochemical cells,connected in parallel and/or in series.

The power bank 140 includes at least one charging module 182 (e.g., aUSB charger), which generally is configured to (1) receive and directelectric charge to the power bank battery 180 (e.g., charge receivedfrom an AC wall outlet, vehicle charging port, etc.), and (2) supplyelectric charge via an electrical connection to one or more mobilecomputing devices. Two or more charging modules 182, for example, in onespecific implementation, three charging modules 182 may be included toallow recharging of the battery while simultaneously permitting chargingof two mobile computing devices. In possible embodiments, the electricalconnection may be implemented via wired and/or wireless means (e.g., USBcharging, Lightning charging, Qi-standard wireless charging means,and/or other suitable means).

The charging module 182 may be coupled to a voltage regulator 183 (e.g.,a DC-to-DC voltage converter). The voltage regulator 183 may beconfigured, for example, to convert a first voltage associated with apower source of the power bank 140 (e.g., a 120V AC wall outlet) to asecond voltage of the power bank battery 180 (e.g., -3V, 3.6V, or 4.2V)while the power bank 140 is being recharged. Additionally oralternatively, the voltage regulator 183 may be configured to convertthe voltage of the power bank battery 180 to still another voltage of acharging connection to the mobile computing device 120 (e.g., thevoltage regulator may include a step-up or “boost” converter configuredto convert the power bank voltage to 5V for a USB charging connection)while the power bank 140 is supplying charge to the mobile computingdevice 120. Voltage conversion within the power bank 140 may vary basedupon (1) the voltage of the power bank battery 180, and (2) the voltageassociated with the charging means by which charge is provided to themobile computing device 120 (e.g., Lighting charging, Qi wirelesscharging, etc.). Additional description of components of the chargingmodule 182 will be provided with respect to FIG. 2.

The power bank 140 includes a microcontroller 184 (MCU, also referred toherein as a control module) comprising a memory 186 and a processor 188.The memory 186 (i.e., one or more memories) may include ROM, RAM, and/orother suitable types of computer memory. The processor 188 (i.e., one ormore processors) may include a CPU and/or other suitable processingunit(s), which executes non-transitory instructions stored at the memory186. In various embodiments, the MCU 184 performs measurements ofelectrical characteristics via the charging module 182 (e.g.,measurements of voltage of the battery 180, outflowing current from thebattery 180, and/or other measurements described herein) and performscalculations based upon the values obtained via the performedmeasurements. Furthermore, the MCU 184 may control operations of thecharging module 182 (e.g., operating a switch therein to interruptand/or resume a supply of electric charge to the power bank battery 180from an external power source, and/or a supply of charge from the powerbank 140 to the mobile computing device battery 166).

The power bank 140 additionally includes a communication module 190(“Comm Module”) configured to exchange wired and/or wirelesscommunication signals with the mobile computing device 120 via the oneor more communicative connections 144 (e.g., RF digital communicationsusing Bluetooth Low Energy, WiFi, etc.). The communication module 190may include a digital radio transceiver. Non-transitory instructionsstored at the power bank memory 186 may include instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor 188, cause the communication module 190 totransmit indications of measured electrical characteristics and/or othercalculations performed by the MCU 184 (e.g., indications of voltage,current, resistance, etc.) to the mobile computing device 120.

The MCU 184 may particularly include an analog to digital converter(ADC) configured to convert analog measurements of voltage and/or otherelectrical characteristics at the power bank 140 to digital values.Digital values can be transmitted via the communication module 190 tothe mobile computing device 120 via the one or more communicativeconnections 144 (e.g., via a wireless RF connection).

Optionally, the power bank includes an I/O 192 for connecting one ormore input devices and/or one or more output devices. In particular, theI/O 192 may include a power button which controlsinterruption/resumption of a supply of charge from the power bankbattery 180 to a battery of a mobile computing device (e.g., to thebattery 166 of the mobile computing device 120). In some embodiments,the I/O 192 may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/orother graphical output, which may for example be an icon providing anindication of the charge level of the power bank battery 180 and/orwhether charging is actively taking place.

The environment 100 may include additional computing devices and/orcomponents, in various embodiments. Moreover, where components of adevice described herein are referred to separately, it should beunderstood that components may be combined, in some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates example conventionally known electrical components ofthe mobile computing device 120 and power bank 140 of FIG. 1, suitablefor use in the portable power bank devices described herein. Although alimited number of electrical components are described with respect toFIG. 2, these are merely provided for general illustration of the powerbanks 140 and methods described herein, and thus it should be understoodthat the mobile computing device 120 and/or power bank 140 may includeadditional, fewer, and/or alternate components to those describedherein, in various embodiments (e.g., other electrical circuitry, and/orany of the components described with respect to FIG. 1). Thus,arrangements of the electrical components generally described herein mayvary from the arrangement shown in FIG. 2.

At a high level, electrical components depicted in FIG. 2 facilitatesupply of electric charge from the power bank battery 180 to the mobilecomputing device battery 166 via an electrical connection between thepower bank battery 180 and the mobile computing device battery 166. Theelectrical connection between the power bank battery 180 and the mobilecomputing device battery 166 electrically connects the respectivebatteries thereof to facilitate the supply of charge from the power bankbattery 180 to the mobile computing device battery 166. In someembodiments, at least some the electrical components described hereinmay be disposed in one or more integrated circuits in the mobilecomputing device 120 and/or in the power bank 140.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the electrical connection 210 is awired electrical connection (e.g., a USB-C charging cable, micro-USBcable, Lighting cable, or other physical connecting structure) thatconnects an electrical port 212 of the power bank 140 to an electricalport 214 of the mobile computing device 120. Additionally oralternatively, in some embodiments, the electrical connection 210 mayinclude a wireless electrical connection (e.g., Qi-standard wirelesscharging connection). Moreover, in some embodiments, the electricalconnection 210 may be implemented by the same structure that providesthe communicative connection(s) 144 as described with respect to FIG. 1.That is, a single connection between the mobile computing device 120 andthe power bank 140 (e.g., a USB wired data/charging wired connection)may both electrically and communicatively connect the mobile computingdevice 120 and the power bank 140.

The power bank battery 180 supplies electric charge via an outflowingelectric current from the power bank battery 180. A power output of thepower bank battery 180 can be calculated (e.g., by the power bank MCU184) by multiplying a value of the outflowing electric current by avoltage of the power bank battery 180. Voltage of the power bank battery180 (e.g., voltage across two terminals of the power bank battery 180)may be measured, for example, by the MCU 184 via a voltmeter disposed atthe power bank battery 180. Outflowing current may be measured by theMCU 184 via use of a resistor 226 (e.g., a shunt resistor) which iselectrically arranged in series with the power bank battery 180, andwhich has a known resistance. When current passes through the resistor226, the MCU 184 measures a voltage drop across the resistor 226 via avoltmeter 228. The ADC in the power bank MCU (e.g., MCU 184) may convertanalog voltmeter measurements in the power bank 140 to digital voltagemeasurements. The MCU 184 may divide the voltage drop across theresistor 226 by the known resistance of the resistor 228 to determinethe value of the electric current passing through the resistor 226 (andhence, the outflowing current of the power bank battery 180).

In some embodiments, control of the supply of electric charge from thepower bank battery 180 is facilitated via a power bank switch 232. Theswitch 232 in an open state (as shown in FIG. 2) prevents the supply ofelectric charge from the power bank battery 180, whereas the switch 232in a closed state allows the supply of electric charge. The switch 232may be controlled, for example, by the MCU 184. Additionally oralternatively, in some embodiments, the switch 232 may be controlledbased upon communications transmitted to the power bank 140 by themobile computing device 120, which communications may be based uponcorresponding user input.

The power bank 140 includes a voltage regulator 183 a (e.g., the voltageregulator 183 as shown in FIG. 1, for example a DC-to-DC voltageconverter). The voltage regulator 183 a may be configured to convert afirst voltage of the power bank battery 180 (e.g., 3V, 3.6V, or 4.2V) toa second configured voltage of the electrical connection 210 (e.g., 5Vfor USB charging). Accordingly, in some embodiments, the voltageregulator 183 a includes a step-up or “boost” converter configured toincrease the voltage. Additionally or alternatively, in someembodiments, the voltage regulator 183 a includes a step-down or “buck”converter to decrease the voltage (e.g., when the power bank battery 180voltage is greater than the electrical connection 210 voltage).Effectively, voltage regulation by the voltage regulator 183 a may varybased upon (1) the voltage of the power bank battery 180, and (2) thevoltage associated with the electrical connection 210. Regulatedelectric current (e.g., having passed through the voltage regulator 183a ) may be supplied to the electrical connection 210 by way of the powerbank electrical port 212. Notably, by performing the measurement ofoutflowing current between the battery 180 and the voltage regulator 183a , the outflowing current measurement reflects outflowing current fromthe battery 180 itself (e.g., outflowing current from a terminal of thebattery 180), thereby avoiding inaccuracies that may be caused by lossesof energy and/or changes in value of the current occurring at thevoltage regulator 183 a .

The power bank 140 may additionally include a second, separateelectrical pathway for facilitating supply of inflowing electric chargeto the power bank battery 180 (e.g., inflowing electric charge from anAC wall outlet, vehicle charging port, and/or other source of charge forthe power bank 140). Elements of this second pathway may generally besimilar to the elements described herein for directing outflowingelectric charge from the power bank battery 180. Accordingly, the secondpathway may include, for example, a voltage regulator 183 b (e.g., toconvert a first voltage of an electrical connection supplying charge tothe power bank 140, to a second voltage of the power bank battery 180).Electrical current, upon passing through the voltage regulator 183 b maypass through a resistor 246 (e.g., a shunt resistor). Electric currentpassing through the resistor 246 may be measured in a manner similar tothat described herein regarding outflowing current through the resistor226 (e.g., by the MCU 184 via a voltmeter 248). Supply of inflowingelectric charge to the battery 180 may be controlled via a switch 252.Notably, by performing the measurement of inflowing current between thebattery 180 and the voltage regulator 183 b , the inflowing currentmeasurement reflects the inflowing current to the battery 180 itself(e.g., current passing into a terminal thereof), thereby accounting forpotential losses of energy and/or changes in value of the currentoccurring at the voltage regulator 183 b . Power input to the power bankbattery 180 can be calculated (e.g., by the power bank MCU 184) bymultiplying a value of the inflowing electric current by a voltage ofthe power bank battery 180 (e.g., voltage across two terminals of thepower bank battery).

Electrical current is received at the mobile computing device 120 fromthe electrical connection 210 by way of the mobile computing device port214. The received electrical current may flow to a voltage regulator 262of the mobile computing device 120. The voltage regulator 262 may beconfigured to convert the voltage of the electrical connection 210(e.g., 5V for USB charging) to another voltage of the mobile computingdevice battery 166 (e.g., 3V, 3.6V, or 4.2V). Accordingly, in someembodiments, the voltage regulator 262 includes a step-down converterconfigured to decrease the voltage. Additionally or alternatively, insome embodiments, the voltage regulator 262 includes a step-up converterconfigured to increase the voltage.

Electric charge is received at the mobile computing device battery 166by way of an inflowing electric current. Voltage of the mobile computingdevice battery 166 may be measured, for example, by a voltmeter in thebattery 166. The value of the inflowing electric current may be measuredvia a resistor 270 (e.g., a shunt resistor) which is electricallyarranged in series with the mobile computing device battery 166, andwhich has a known resistance. When current passes through the resistor270, the mobile computing device 120 measures a voltage drop across theresistor 270 via a voltmeter 272. The ADC in the mobile computing deviceprocessor may convert analog measurements of voltage in the mobilecomputing device 120 to digital voltage values. The processor of themobile computing device (e.g., processor 158) may divide the voltagedrop across the resistor 270 by the known resistance of the resistor 270to determine the value of the electric current passing through theresistor 270 and hence, the value of the inflowing current to the mobilecomputing device battery 166.

In some embodiments, control of the supply of electric charge to themobile computing device battery 166 is performed via a mobile computingdevice switch 276. The switch 276 in an open state (as shown in FIG. 2)prevents the supply of electric charge to the mobile computing devicebattery 166, whereas the switch 276 in a closed state allows the supplyof electric charge. The switch 276 may be controlled, for example, bythe processor of the mobile computing device 120 (e.g., processor 158).Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the switch 276 maybe controlled based upon communications transmitted to the mobilecomputing device 120 by the power bank 140.

Measuring State of Health of a Power Bank Battery

Generally, a state of health of the power bank is defined as a valuerepresenting an actual capacity of the power bank battery compared tothe nominal capacity of the power bank battery (e.g., a ratio orpercentage). This value is referred to herein as a “health value” of thepower bank battery. Accordingly, in this detailed description, “state ofhealth” and “health value” are used interchangeably.

For example, in a power bank battery having a present capacity of 8400mAh compared to a nominal capacity of 10000 mAh, the health value of thepower bank may be expressed as 0.84 or 84%, i.e., indicating that thepower bank battery has a present capacity that is 84% of its nominalcapacity. According to techniques described herein, when the healthvalue falls at or below a predetermined threshold, the power bank (e.g.,power bank 140 from FIGS. 1 and 2) may transmit an indication of thehealth value to a mobile computing device of a user (e.g., mobilecomputing device 120 from FIGS. 1 and 2). The indication, upon beingreceived by the mobile computing device, causes the mobile computingdevice to display an indication of the health value (e.g., a pushnotification, and/or an image displayed on a screen of an application atthe mobile computing device. The display at the mobile computing devicemay indicate the state of health of the power bank, thereby providingthe user an opportunity to account for the state of health when charginghis or her device(s) (e.g., to charge the power bank more often toensure that the power bank is not inadvertently and inconvenientlydepleted based on set prior expectations of the user), or to replace thepower bank. As will be described below, various techniques may beutilized to determine the nominal capacity, actual capacity, and healthvalue of the power bank battery.

First, determining the state of health of the power bank batteryincludes determining the nominal capacity of the power bank battery.Typically, the power bank is aware of its own nominal capacity (e.g.,the nominal capacity is stored in the non-transitory power bank memory186 at time of manufacture). In some embodiments, the nominal capacityof the power bank battery is a combined capacity based upon a multi-cellconfiguration of two or more cells of the power bank battery (e.g.,electrochemical cells), each having an individual capacity. In any case,the nominal capacity of the power bank battery can be represented as asingle value, i.e., a nominal combined capacity of one or more cells inthe power bank battery (e.g., 5000 mAh, 10000 mAh, 22000 mAh, etc.).

Second, determining the state of health of the power bank batteryincludes determining the actual capacity of the power bank battery(e.g., determining the present actual capacity). Multiple techniques arepossible for determining actual capacity of the power bank battery, aswill be described below.

Determining Actual Capacity of a Power Bank Battery

In one possible embodiment, when the power bank battery's capacity israted in units of electric charge, “coulomb counting” techniques areused in combination with measurements of voltage of the power bankbattery during charging and/or draining of the power bank battery.Generally, coulomb counting comprises measuring the outflowing currentfrom the power bank battery and/or inflowing current to the power bankbattery over a time interval. Outflowing electric current from the powerbank (i.e., carrying electric charge out of the power bank battery,e.g., via circuitry of the power bank as described with respect to FIG.2) may be measured, for example, while the power bank is supplyingcharge to one or more mobile computing devices. Inflowing electriccurrent (i.e., carrying electric charge into the power bank battery) maybe measured, for example, while the power bank is receiving charge froman AC wall outlet, vehicle charging port, and/or other source of chargefor the power bank. Measured inflowing or outflowing current can beintegrated over a time interval to determine the total inflowing oroutflowing electric charge over the time interval. In somecircumstances, if the measured current is constant over a time interval(or if varying current is averaged over the time interval), the constantcurrent or average current may be multiplied by duration of the timeinterval to determine the total current (inflowing or outflowing) overthe time interval.

In some embodiments, the power bank MCU measures outflowing and/orinflowing electric current via use of a resistor electrically arrangedin series with the power bank battery (e.g., a shunt resistor 226 formeasuring outflowing current, or another shunt resistor similarlyarranged for measuring inflowing current, as described with respect toFIG. 2). The resistor has a known electrical resistance (e.g., 0.01 Ohms(a)), and the electrical resistance of the resistor is included inmemory of the power bank MCU. The power bank MCU measures voltage dropacross the resistor. For example, for the 0.01Ω shunt resistor, the MCUmay measure a drop of 20 millivolts (mV) across the shunt resistor. TheMCU divides the voltage drop by the known resistance of resistor todetermine the electric current passing through the resistor (and hence,the current flowing to or from the power bank battery). For example, forthe MCU measuring a drop of 20 mV across the 0.01Ω shunt resistor, theMCU determines an electric current of 2 A. The MCU continues to monitorthe electric current as a function of time over a time interval (viacontinued measurements of voltage drop across the shunt resistor). Themonitored electric current is integrated or multiplied over the timeinterval to determine the total amount of inflowing or outflowingelectric charge over the time interval.

Preferably, the time interval over which total charge is calculatedcorresponds to at least one of (1) a full charging of the power bankbattery (i.e., from ˜0% fuel gauge to ˜100% fuel gauge, by charging froma wall outlet or other source) and/or (2) a full draining of the powerbank battery (i.e., from ˜100% fuel gauge to 0% fuel gauge, uponcharging one or more mobile computing devices). As will be describedbelow, a full charging and/or full draining of the power bank battery isdetected by monitoring of voltage and/or current at the power bankbattery.

Monitoring a full charging of the power bank battery (0% to 100%)typically involves monitoring a “Constant Current/Constant Voltage”(CC/CV) charging of the power bank battery. CC/CV charging of the powerbank battery can be understood from FIG. 3, which charts inflowingcurrent to the power bank battery as a function of the fuel gauge of thepower bank battery during charging (and hence, as a function of time).

In a first “Constant Current” (CC) charging phase, shown in FIG. 3, whena fully depleted power bank is connected an external power supply (notshown), the power bank battery receives an inflowing electric current ofa substantially constant magnitude (e.g., 2.5 A), and the internalvoltage of the power bank battery increases from a minimum rated voltage(e.g., 3V at 0% fuel gauge, in the case of many lithium-ion batteries)to a maximum rated voltage (e.g., 4.2V for lithium-ion batteries). Themaximum voltage of the power bank battery may be achieved, for example,when the power bank battery is at 50% battery fuel gauge, 60% fuelgauge, 70%, 80%, or another charge level. In any case, once the powerbank battery reaches maximum voltage, the second “Constant Voltage” (CV)charging phase, shown in FIG. 4, begins. In the CV phase, the maximumvoltage of the power bank battery is maintained while the inflowingcurrent decreases from an initial value (e.g., 2.5 A in the momentimmediately after crossover to CV charging from CC charging) tonear-zero inflowing current as the power bank fuel gauge approaches100%. When the inflowing current is equal to or below a predeterminedthreshold that signifies that charging has tapered off sufficiently(e.g., 0.05 A), the power bank MCU determines that the fuel gauge is˜100%, and the second and final charging phase is complete.Consequently, the MCU causes cutoff of the supply of charge to the powerbank (e.g., via the switch in the power bank or in a charging adaptor inthe power bank's power supply).

An “input charge capacity” of the power bank battery is determined viamonitoring the inflowing current over the first and second phases of aCC/CV full charging of the power bank. Particularly, the inflowingcurrent is integrated over the duration of the full charging of thepower bank from 0% to 100% (e.g., 80 minutes, which may be continuous ornon-continuous). Integration of the inflowing current over time producesthe total electric charge inflowing to the power bank battery over theduration of the charging session. As an example, in a power bank havinga nominal capacity of 10000 mAh, the power bank MCU may determine thatthe power bank battery received only 7400 mAh to fully charge from 0% to100% fuel gauge. Thus, the MCU determines that the input capacity of thepower bank is 7400 mAh.

Conversely, the power bank MCU may determine actual capacity bymonitoring power bank battery voltage and outflowing current during afull draining of the power bank battery (from 100% to 0% fuel gauge),while the power bank supplies electric charge to one or more mobilecomputing devices. Particularly, the power bank MCU may monitor theoutflowing current from the power bank battery by measuring voltage dropacross the shunt resistor in series with the power bank battery. Thevalue of the outflowing current during draining generally may vary basedupon various factors, including for example the fuel gauge of thedevice(s) to which the power bank is supplying charge.

Behavior of voltage of the power bank battery can be understood fromFIG. 4, which charts voltage of the power bank battery as a function ofthe fuel gauge of the power bank battery as the power bank batterydrains over time (e.g., while charging one or more mobile computingdevices). As the power bank battery drains, the power bank batteryvoltage decreases from its maximum voltage (e.g., 4.2V, as shown in FIG.4) toward its minimum voltage (e.g., 3V). The power bank MCU monitorsthe current and/or voltage until the power bank voltage is equal or nearequal to the minimum voltage, which indicates that the power bankbattery fuel gauge is at or very close to 0%.

An “output charge capacity” of the power bank battery is determined byintegrating the outflowing current over a duration over which the powerbank battery supplied charge (e.g., drained from 100% to 0% fuel gauge).As an example, in the power bank having a nominal capacity of 10000 mAh,the power bank MCU may determine that the power bank battery drainedonly 7000 mAh to drain from 100% to 0% fuel gauge. Thus, the MCUdetermines that the “output capacity” of the power bank is 7000 mAh.

Determinations of input charge capacity and output charge capacity arepreferably used when the nominal capacity of the power bank battery isexpressed in units of electric charge (e.g., mAh). That is, actualcapacity is measured in units comparable to those of the nominalcapacity. Thus, in embodiments where the nominal capacity of the powerbank battery is rated in units of energy (e.g., Wh), the actual capacityshould likewise be measured units of energy (rather than in units ofcharge, as is achieved via the coulomb counting techniques as describedabove).

Accordingly, in embodiments where the nominal capacity of the power bankbattery is expressed in units of energy, “energy counting” techniquesare used to measure the actual capacity. The power bank MCU may measureoutflowing current from the power bank and/or inflowing current to thepower bank in combination with voltage of the power bank battery over atime interval. As in coulomb counting as described herein, the timeinterval preferably corresponds to at least one of a full charging ofthe power bank battery or a full draining of the power bank battery(which may be detected in the same manner as described above withrespect to FIGS. 3 and 4). The MCU may multiply the measured outflowingor inflowing current by corresponding voltage (that is, voltage of thepower bank battery at the same time) to determine the power input to thepower bank battery or power output of the power output of the power bankbattery at a given time during the time interval. Alternatively, in someembodiments, all measurements of outflowing or inflowing current overthe time interval may be multiplied by a same “average voltage” of thepower bank battery (e.g., a nominal voltage of the battery).

The power bank MCU may integrate the measured power input or poweroutput over the time interval to determine the total inflowing energy tothe power bank battery over the time interval, or the total outflowingenergy from the power bank battery over the time interval. The MCU maymeasure an “input energy capacity” of the power bank battery bymonitoring the inflowing energy to the power bank battery over a fullcharging of the power bank from substantially 0% to substantially 100%fuel gauge. For example, in a power bank having a nominal capacity of 50Wh, the power bank MCU may determine that the power bank battery onlyreceived 40 Wh to charge from 0% to 100%. Additionally or alternatively,the power bank MCU may measure an “output energy capacity” of the powerbank battery by monitoring the outflowing energy from the power bankbattery over a full draining of the power bank from 100% to 0% fuelgauge. For example, in the power bank having a nominal capacity of 50Wh, the power bank MCU may determine that the power bank battery onlydrained 38 Wh to drain from substantially 100% to substantially 0% fuelgauge.

In any case, the power bank MCU may determine the actual capacity of thepower bank battery based upon either of the calculated input capacity(e.g., input charge or energy capacity) or the calculated outputcapacity (e.g., output charge or energy capacity). Alternatively, insome embodiments, the MCU calculates the actual capacity based upon a“full cycle” of the power bank battery (i.e., full charging followed byfull draining of the power bank battery, or vice versa). In theseembodiments, upon detection of the full charging and full draining, theMCU may average the calculated input capacity and calculated outputcapacity to determine the actual capacity of the power bank battery. Forexample, following the 10000 mAh power bank example herein, the 7400 mAhinput charge capacity and 7000 mAh output charge capacity are averagedto determine a 7200 mAh actual charge capacity of the power bankbattery.

The power bank MCU calculates the health value of the power bank batterybased upon the determined actual capacity and the nominal capacity ofthe power bank battery (e.g., as a ratio or percentage). For example, ina power bank having an actual capacity of 7200 mAh compared to 10000 mAhnominal capacity, the health value of the power bank is represented as0.72 or 72%.

The health value of the power bank generally decreases over time. Thus,in various embodiments, the power bank may apply the techniquesdescribed herein intermittently or continuously to monitor health of thepower bank battery. For example, the MCU may continuously monitorcharging and draining of the power bank battery and calculate an actualcapacity any time the power bank battery is fully charged from 0% to100% or fully drained from 100% to 0%.

In some embodiments, the MCU may measure the actual capacity when thepower bank battery is partially charged (e.g., from 0% to 48% fuelgauge, from 15% to 67%, from 38% to 100%, etc.) or when the power bankbattery is partially drained (e.g., from 100% to 63% fuel gauge, from48% to 17%, from 61% to 0%, etc.). In these embodiments, the monitoredinflowing or outflowing charge or energy during the partial charging orpartial draining is extrapolated to determine the amount of inflowing oroutflowing charge or energy that would occur from a full charging orfull draining. For example, if the power bank battery drains 3500 mAh todrain from 67% to 17% fuel gauge (i.e., draining 50%), the MCU doublesthe measured drain of 3500 mAh to estimate that the power bank batterywould drain 7000 mAh to fully drain, thereby providing an estimation ofactual capacity. As another example, if the power bank battery charges1600 mAh to charge from 0% to 20% fuel gauge, the MCU extrapolates themeasured 1600 mAh charge to estimate that the power bank battery wouldcharge 8000 mAh to fully charge. Extrapolated calculations of actualcapacity may be less reliable, and thus, the MCU preferably calculatesthe actual capacity based upon full charging from substantially 0% tosubstantially 100% fuel gauge, and/or full draining from substantially100% to substantially 0%.

When the determined health value is equal to or below a threshold value(e.g., 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, etc.), the power bank automatically transmitsan indication of the health value to a mobile computing device of auser. In some embodiments, the threshold value is a predetermined valuestored by memory of the power bank MCU (e.g., as set at the time ofmanufacture of the power bank). Alternatively, in some embodiments, thethreshold value is a value set by a user of a mobile computing devicevia instructions (e.g., a dedicated software application) executing atthe mobile computing device. In these embodiments, the mobile computingdevice transmits an indication of the user-set threshold value to thepower bank, i.e., the user assigns the threshold value. The power bankreceives the indication and stores the user-set threshold value at thepower bank memory.

Still other techniques for determining actual capacity and state ofhealth may be possible, in alternate embodiments. In some embodiments,for example, the power bank uses an impedance check to determineinternal resistance of the power bank battery, which is also indicativeof state of health. Particularly, the power bank applies one or moreshort, constant-current pulses (e.g., 2 A) internally to the power bankbattery. The power bank and measures voltage drop in the battery (e.g.,30 mV, 60 mV, 200 mV, etc.) upon the application of the pulse(s). Thevoltage drop is caused by the internal resistance in the power bankbattery. Because the internal resistance increases over the lifetime ofthe power bank, voltage drop caused by the constant-current pulse(s)increases proportionally. The power bank may measure the resistancevoltage drop and compare the resistance or voltage drop to a thresholdvalue (e.g., 200 mΩ or 400 mV). When the determined voltage drop orresistance value equals to or exceeds the threshold value, the powerbank transmits an indication thereof to the mobile computing device.

Example Flow Diagram

FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram 500 associated with monitoring state ofhealth of a battery of a power bank (e.g., of the power bank 140 asdepicted in FIG. 1). As described herein, actions represented in theflow diagram 500 may be performed, for example, by the microcontroller(MCU) of the power bank. Actions represented in the flow diagram mayinclude wired and/or wireless communications between the power bank anda mobile computing device external to the power bank (e.g., asmartphone, tablet, etc.).

The MCU determines a nominal capacity of the power bank battery (502).The nominal capacity may be a nominal charge capacity or a nominalenergy capacity of the power bank battery. Preferably, the MCUdetermines the nominal capacity by retrieving the value indicative ofthe nominal capacity from memory of the MCU (or, retrieves a valueindicative thereof, e.g., configuration information of one or more cellsof the power bank battery). Alternatively, the MCU determines thenominal capacity by receiving an indication of the nominal capacity ofthe power bank battery via wired and/or wireless communications (e.g.,from a dedicated software application having a stored memory running onthe mobile computing device; the stored memory may have a look-up tablelisting the nominal capacity of various power bank models).

Additionally, the MCU determines an actual capacity of the power bankbattery (504). The actual capacity may be an actual charge capacity oran actual energy capacity (in accordance with the unit of measurement ofthe nominal capacity). Particularly, the MCU may determine the actualcapacity by applying the coulomb counting techniques (or energy countingtechniques, in the case of a power bank battery having a capacitymeasured in units of energy) as described in the foregoing (e.g., basedupon input capacity and/or output capacity). Alternatively, in someembodiments, the MCU determines the actual capacity of the power bankbattery via one or more impedance checks as described herein.

The MCU compares the actual capacity of the power bank battery to thenominal capacity of the power bank battery to determine a health valueof the power bank battery based upon the nominal capacity and the actualcapacity (506). Particularly, in some embodiments, the health valuecorresponds to the actual capacity divided by the nominal capacity(e.g., represented as a ratio or percentage).

The MCU determines whether the health value of the power bank is at orbelow a predetermined threshold value (508). In some embodiments, thepredetermined threshold value is stored by the power bank memory (e.g.,set at the time of manufacturer, for example at 80%, 70%, 50%, etc.).Alternatively, in some embodiments, the power bank receives anindication of a user-configured threshold value. The user-configuredthreshold value is set by a user of a mobile computing device, forexample via a software application associated with the power bankbattery. In these embodiments, the power bank battery receives theuser-configured threshold value from the mobile computing devices viawired and/or wireless communications.

If the determined health value is at or below the threshold value, thepower bank transmits an indication of the health value to a mobilecomputing device of a user of the power bank (510). The power banktransmits the indication via wired and/or wireless communications viathe communication module of the power bank. The transmitted indicationof the health value causes the mobile computing device to display theindication of the state of health of the power bank battery (e.g., apush notification, and/or an image displayed on a screen of a mobilecomputing device application conveying the state of health informationof the power bank).

In some embodiments, the indication of the power of the power bankincludes the exact health value. Additionally or alternatively, theindication of the power bank may simply indicate whether or not the usershould replace the power bank (e.g., based upon whether the health valueis above, equal to, or below the threshold value).

If the determined health value is above the threshold value,transmitting the indication of the health value may not occur.Alternatively, in some embodiments, the power bank transmits the healthvalue any time the health value is determined, thereby allowing themobile computing device user to monitor the status of their power bank.In any case, the power bank MCU continues to monitor the capacity of thepower bank battery (512). For example, the MCU may continuously monitorinflowing and/or outflowing current at the power bank, and may determinepresent capacity each time the MCU determines that a full charging orfull draining of the power bank battery has occurred. Thus, theaction(s) 504 are repeated, allowing for detection of whether the powerbank battery health value has since fallen to the threshold value orbelow the threshold value.

Order of actions of the flow diagram 500 may vary. For example, the MCUmay determine the actual capacity of the power bank battery beforeobtaining the nominal capacity of the power bank battery.

Example Graphical User Interface

FIG. 6 illustrates an example notification that may be displayed at amobile computing device 610 based upon state of health of a power bankassociated with the mobile computing device (e.g., owned by a sameuser). More particularly, FIG. 6 illustrates a screen 612 of the mobilecomputing device 610, the screen 612 displaying a graphical userinterface 620 indicating state of health of the power bank. The mobilecomputing device 610 may, for example, be any mobile computing device120 described with respect to FIG. 1 or 2. In some embodiments, thegraphical user interface 620 of FIG. 6 is displayed via a dedicatedpower bank application executing at the mobile computing device 610(e.g., power bank application 156 of FIG. 1).

The graphical user interface 620 displays an indication of the state ofhealth (referred to as “life percentage” in FIG. 6) of the power bank.Particularly, the graphical user interface 620 indicates that thepresent capacity the power bank is less than 70% of the nominal capacityof the power bank, and advises the user of the mobile computing device610 that ability of the power bank to charge devices may be reduced.

Different health value thresholds may be envisioned, in variousembodiments. Furthermore, additional or alternative graphical userinterfaces are possible, in various embodiments. For example, thenotifications of FIG. 6 may be substituted or supplemented with otherscreens of a power bank application executing at the mobile computingdevice 610 (e.g., full-screen displays) Additional or alternative userinterfaces may provide similar information to that shown in FIG. 6and/or may provide other charging-related information described herein.Furthermore, user interface techniques may be implemented that use audioinput/output via a microphone and/or speaker of the mobile device 610,in various embodiments, to communicate audio push notifications.

Example Flow Diagram

FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram corresponding to an example method 700associated with determining state of health of a battery of a power bank(e.g., of the power bank 140 as depicted in FIG. 1). At least someactions of the method 700 may correspond to actions in the flow diagram500 of FIG. 5.

The method 700 includes determining a nominal capacity (e.g., nominalcharge capacity or energy capacity) of the power bank battery (702).Particularly, a microcontroller (MCU) of the power bank determines thenominal capacity by retrieving the nominal capacity from memory at thepower bank as explained herein with reference to FIG. 5. The method 700further includes determining an actual capacity of the power bank (704,e.g., via coulomb counting, energy counting, or impedance check asdescribed herein). Additionally, the method 700 includes comparing theactual capacity of the power bank to the nominal capacity of the powerbank to determine a health value of the power bank (706). The method 700includes transmitting an indication of the health value to a mobilecomputing device when the health value is at or below a threshold value(708).

The method 700 may include additional, fewer, or alternate actions, invarious embodiments.

Additional Considerations

All of the foregoing computer systems may include additional, less, oralternate functionality, including that discussed herein. All of thecomputer-implemented methods may include additional, less, or alternateactions, including those discussed herein, and may be implemented viaone or more local or remote processors and/or transceivers, and/or viacomputer-executable instructions stored on computer-readable media ormedium.

The processors, transceivers, mobile devices, and/or other computingdevices discussed herein may communicate with each via wirelesscommunication networks or electronic communication networks. Forinstance, the communication between computing devices may be wirelesscommunication or data transmission over one or more radio links, orwireless or digital communication channels.

The following additional considerations apply to the foregoingdiscussion. Throughout this specification, plural instances mayimplement components, operations, or structures described as a singleinstance. Although individual operations of one or more methods areillustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of theindividual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothingrequires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated.Structures and functionality presented as separate components in exampleconfigurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component.Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single componentmay be implemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

Additionally, certain embodiments are described herein as includinglogic or a number of routines, subroutines, applications, orinstructions. These may constitute either software (e.g., code embodiedon a machine-readable medium or in a transmission signal) or hardware.In hardware, the routines, etc., are tangible units capable ofperforming certain operations and may be configured or arranged in acertain manner. In example embodiments, one or more computer systems(e.g., a standalone, client or server computer system) or one or morehardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group ofprocessors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application orapplication portion) as a hardware module that operates to performcertain operations as described herein.

In various embodiments, a hardware module may be implementedmechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware module maycomprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured(e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gatearray (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) toperform certain operations. A hardware module may also compriseprogrammable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within ageneral-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that istemporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. Itwill be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware modulemechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or intemporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may bedriven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the term “hardware module” should be understood toencompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physicallyconstructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarilyconfigured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or toperform certain operations described herein. Considering embodiments inwhich hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed),each of the hardware modules need not be configured or instantiated atany one instance in time. For example, where the hardware modulescomprise a general-purpose processor configured using software, thegeneral-purpose processor may be configured as respective differenthardware modules at different times. Software may accordingly configurea processor, for example, to constitute a particular hardware module atone instance of time and to constitute a different hardware module at adifferent instance of time.

Hardware modules may provide information to, and receive informationfrom, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the described hardwaremodules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multipleof such hardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications may beachieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuitsand buses) that connect the hardware modules. In embodiments in whichmultiple hardware modules are configured or instantiated at differenttimes, communications between such hardware modules may be achieved, forexample, through the storage and retrieval of information in memorystructures to which the multiple hardware modules have access. Forexample, one hardware module may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a latertime, access the memory device to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input oroutput devices, and may operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modulesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modulesreferred to herein may, in some example embodiments, compriseprocessor-implemented modules.

Similarly, the methods or routines described herein may be at leastpartially processor-implemented. For example, at least some of theoperations of a method may be performed by one or more processors orprocessor-implemented hardware modules. The performance of certain ofthe operations may be distributed among the one or more processors, notonly residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number ofmachines. In some example embodiments, the processor or processors maybe located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, anoffice environment or as a server farm), while in other embodiments theprocessors may be distributed across a number of locations.

The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed amongthe one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine,but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments,the one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may belocated in a single geographic location (e.g., within a homeenvironment, an office environment, or a server farm). In other exampleembodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implemented modulesmay be distributed across a number of geographic locations.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using wordssuch as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,”“presenting,” “displaying,” or the like may refer to actions orprocesses of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transformsdata represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical)quantities within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory,non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof), registers, or othermachine components that receive, store, transmit, or displayinformation.

As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and“connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some embodimentsmay be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or moreelements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term“coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not indirect contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interactwith each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true(or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or notpresent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (orpresent).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the description. Thisdescription, and the claims that follow, should be read to include oneor at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it isobvious that it is meant otherwise.

The patent claims at the end of this patent application are not intendedto be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditionalmeans-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for”or “step for” language being explicitly recited in the claim(s).

The systems and methods described herein are directed to improvements tocomputer functionality, and improve the functioning of conventionalcomputers.

This detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and doesnot describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possibleembodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One may be implementnumerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology ortechnology developed after the filing date of this application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable power bank device, comprising: arechargeable battery for supplying electric charge to a mobile computingdevice external to the power bank via an electrical connection betweenthe power bank battery and a battery of the mobile computing device, thepower bank battery having a nominal capacity; a communication module forexchanging communication signals with the mobile computing device; and acontrol module comprising one or more processors and a memory storingnon-transitory computer executable instructions that, when executed viathe one or more processors, cause the power bank to: determine thenominal capacity of the power bank battery, measure a present capacityof the power bank battery, compare the present capacity of the powerbank battery to the nominal capacity of the power bank battery todetermine a health value of the power bank battery, and transmit to themobile computing device, via the communication module, an indication ofthe health value of the power bank battery when the health value is lessthan or equal to a threshold value.
 2. The portable power bank device,of claim 1, wherein the instructions to measure the present capacityinclude non-transitory computer executable instructions that, whenexecuted via the one or more processors, cause the power bank to:monitor an inflowing electric current to the power bank battery during atime interval corresponding to a charging of the power bank battery; andcalculate an input charge capacity of the power bank battery based uponthe monitored inflowing electric current over the time interval; anddetermine the present capacity based upon the calculated input chargecapacity.
 3. The portable power bank device, of claim 1, wherein theinstructions to measure the present capacity include non-transitorycomputer executable instructions that, when executed via the one or moreprocessors, cause the power bank to: monitor an outflowing electriccurrent from the power bank battery during a time interval correspondingto a supply of electric charge from the power bank battery to the mobilecomputing device; calculate an output charge capacity of the power bankbattery based upon the monitored outflowing electric current over thetime interval; and determine the present capacity based upon thecalculated output charge capacity.
 4. The portable power bank device, ofclaim 1, wherein the instructions to measure the present capacityinclude non-transitory computer executable instructions that, whenexecuted via the one or more processors, cause the power bank to:monitor an inflowing electric current to the power bank battery and avoltage of the power bank battery during a time interval correspondingto a charging of the power bank battery; and calculate an input energycapacity of the power bank battery based upon the monitored inflowingelectric current and the voltage over the time interval; and determinethe present capacity based upon the calculated input energy capacity. 5.The portable power bank device, of claim 1, wherein the instructions tomeasure the present capacity include non-transitory computer executableinstructions that, when executed via the one or more processors, causethe power bank to: monitor an outflowing electric current from the powerbank battery and a voltage of the power bank battery during a timeinterval corresponding to a supply of electric charge from the powerbank battery to the mobile computing device; calculate an output energycapacity of the power bank battery based upon the monitored outflowingelectric current and the voltage over the time interval; and determinethe present capacity based upon the calculated output energy capacity.6. The portable power bank device of claim 1, wherein the instructionsto transmit the indication of the health value include instructions totransmit the health value to the mobile computing device via wirelessradio frequency (RF) communications.
 7. The portable power bank deviceof claim 1, wherein the electrical connection between the power bankbattery and the mobile computing device battery comprises a wirelesselectrical connection between the power bank and the mobile computingdevice.
 8. The portable power bank device of claim 1, wherein theelectrical connection between the power bank battery and the mobilecomputing device battery comprises a wired electrical connection betweenthe power bank and the mobile computing device.
 9. The portable powerbank device of claim 1, wherein the threshold value is a value definedby a user of the mobile computing device via an application executing atthe mobile computing device.
 10. A method comprising: determining, by aprocessor of a portable power bank, a nominal capacity of a rechargeablebattery of the power bank, the power bank battery being configured tosupply electric charge to a mobile computing device external to thepower bank via an electrical connection between the power bank batteryand a battery of the mobile computing device; obtaining, by theprocessor of the power bank, a measurement of a present capacity of thepower bank battery; comparing, by the processor of the power bank, thepresent capacity to the nominal capacity to determine a health value ofthe power bank battery; and transmitting, via a communication module ofthe power bank, to a mobile computing device external to the power bank,an indication of the health value of the power bank battery when thehealth value is less than or equal to a threshold value.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein measuring the present capacity of the power bankbattery comprises: monitoring, via the processor of the power bank, aninflowing electric current to the power bank battery during a timeinterval corresponding to a charging of the power bank battery;calculating, via the processor of the power bank, an input chargecapacity of the power bank battery based upon the monitored inflowingelectric current over the time interval; and determining, via theprocessor of the power bank, the present capacity based upon thecalculated input charge capacity.
 12. The method of claim 10, whereinmeasuring the present capacity of the power bank battery comprises:monitoring, via the processor of the power bank, an outflowing electriccurrent from the power bank battery during a time interval correspondingto a supply of electric charge from the power bank battery to the mobilecomputing device; calculating, via the processor of the power bank, anoutput charge capacity of the power bank battery based upon themonitored outflowing electric current over the time interval; anddetermining, via the processor of the power bank, the present capacitybased upon the calculated output charge capacity.
 13. The method ofclaim 10, wherein measuring the present capacity of the power bankbattery comprises: monitoring, via the processor of the power bank, aninflowing electric current to the power bank battery and a voltage ofthe power bank battery during a time interval corresponding to acharging of the power bank battery; calculating, via the processor ofthe power bank, an input energy capacity of the power bank battery basedupon the monitored inflowing electric current and the voltage over thetime interval; and determining, via the processor of the power bank, thepresent capacity based upon the calculated input energy capacity. 14.The method of claim 10, wherein measuring the present capacity of thepower bank battery comprises: monitoring, via the processor of the powerbank, an outflowing electric current from the power bank battery and avoltage of the power bank battery during a time interval correspondingto a supply of electric charge from the power bank battery to the mobilecomputing device; calculating, via the processor of the power bank, anoutput energy capacity of the power bank battery based upon themonitored outflowing electric current and the voltage over the timeinterval; and determining, via the processor of the power bank, thepresent capacity based upon the calculated output energy capacity. 15.The method of claim 10, wherein transmitting the indication of thehealth value includes transmitting the indication of the health value tothe mobile computing device via wireless radio frequency (RF)communications.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the electricalconnection between the power bank battery and the mobile computingdevice battery comprises a wireless electrical connection between thepower bank and the mobile computing device.
 17. The method of claim 10,wherein the electrical connection between the power bank battery and themobile computing device battery comprises a wired electrical connectionbetween the power bank and the mobile computing device.
 18. The methodof claim 10, wherein the threshold value is a value defined by a user ofthe mobile computing device via an application executing at the mobilecomputing device.